On September 5, 2024, Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California at the age of 83. Mendes, renowned for his unique fusion of bossa nova and pop, enjoyed a global following.
The Mendes family released a statement informing the public that Mendes died peacefully at his residence. They shared that his wife and musical partner of 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, and his children were present during his final moments.
According to the family’s statement, Mendes’s last performances were in November 2023 with sold-out crowds in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The statement also revealed that Mendes had been battling health issues related to the long-term effects of COVID-19 in the months leading to his death.
Mendes was born in Niterói, Brazil in 1941. His musical journey began in the late 1950s during the burgeoning bossa nova movement in Rio de Janeiro nightclubs. Under the mentorship of bossa nova icon Antônio Carlos Jobim, Mendes quickly rose to prominence in the Brazilian music industry.
In 1962, Mendes’s performance at the famous Bossa Nova Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City catapulted him to international fame. This turning point in his career led to his collaborations with jazz stars such as Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann.
Mendes moved to California two years after his Carnegie Hall performance and formed the band Brasil ’66, signing with A&M Records. The group’s unique blend of Brazilian rhythms and American pop music propelled them to international stardom.
The band’s cover of Jorge Ben’s “Mas Que Nada” became a breakthrough hit and Mendes’s signature song. Brasil ’66 produced several other hits, including their renditions of The Beatles’ “The Fool on the Hill” and Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love.”
In an interview, Mendes once referred to “Mas Que Nada” as a divine blessing. He credited the song with introducing Brazilian music to global audiences, helping to expand the genre’s reach internationally.
Over his seven-decade career, Mendes continually evolved his sound by collaborating with diverse artists. In the 1980s, he contributed to the James Bond film “Never Say Never Again” by working on its title song.
In the new millennium, Mendes collaborated with contemporary artists such as The Black Eyed Peas in 2006, giving a new spin to “Mas Que Nada” for a younger audience.
Mendes’s contributions to music won him three Grammy Awards. Additionally, he received an Oscar nomination in 2012 for “Real in Rio,” a song he co-wrote with Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett for the animated film “Rio.”
Despite his global success, Mendes never lost his connection with his Brazilian roots and often spoke about the importance of sharing his culture through music.
“In the Key of Joy,” Mendes’s last studio album, was released in 2020. The album features collaborations with contemporary artists and displays his enduring creativity.
Herb Alpert, the American musician who played a crucial role in launching Mendes’ international career, shared a touching tribute on Instagram. Alpert expressed strong ties with Mendes, likening their relationship to a brotherhood transcending national borders.
Alpert’s Instagram tribute praised Mendes’ genuine friendship and exceptional musical talent. Alpert highlighted Mendes’s key role in familiarizing global audiences with Brazilian music, which he did with grace and joy.
Following news of Mendes’s death, tributes flowed from Brazil, his homeland. Several prominent Brazilian musicians offered their respects and remembrances.
Milton Nascimento, a legendary singer, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram. Nascimento referred to Mendes as a beloved genius and expressed his wish for Mendes to find peace. He reflected on their long-standing friendship and musical collaborations, promising that Mendes would remain in his heart forever.
Singer-songwriter Marcos Valle remembered Mendes as a pioneer in the bossa nova subgenre of samba jazz during the 1960s. Valle underscored Mendes’s role as a representative of diverse forms of Brazilian popular music.
Mendes is survived by his wife Gracinha and their five children. His family plans to celebrate his life and music in the coming weeks and will share further details later.
